Michigan State sophomore Connor Cook led the Spartans' to a come-from-behind 17-16 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win over TCU, but he hasn't been able to overtake incumbent Andrew Maxwell at quarterback at the half-way point of spring drills.Josh Slagter | MLive.com

EAST LANSING — Upon further review, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio expounded on the Spartans' quarterback derby, which senior Andrew Maxwell continues to lead.

Dantonio said that Maxwell's experience has led to the order remaining status quo, with him continuing to get the most repetitions with the first team while redshirt sophomore Connor Cook and redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor scramble (quite literally) to make up ground.

Here's what Dantonio, who has led the Spartans to a school-record six consecutive bowls, had to say entering the ninth practice session of spring drills on Tuesday.

On Tyler O'Connor:

"I think Tyler O'Connor can make a play with his feet, he ad-libs very well, when you see big plays from him, a lot of it he has created. He needs to be a little more consistent in your everyday things. The things he should do, should be able to make a throw, sometimes it's not 100 percent.''

On Connor Cook

"I think Connor Cook is much the same, he's just a year removed from it (first spring), so sometimes, I don't want to say disoriented, but lack of consistency. But he makes plays, he's made plays with his feet, he's big, with a strong arm.''

On Andrew Maxwell

"I think when he's got time, and everything is good around him, he's very efficient. When things break down, like most quarterbacks, the separation is not as great from the other two (Michigan State QBs).''

Overall

"All three of those guys are good football players…we're farther along this year than last year with our quarterbacks, due to the nature of the experience Maxwell has, Connor Cook has, and then we have a third that could play himself into playing time, actually…consistency needs to be there. But that's what has to be said about the whole offense.''